Pentasa vs. Azulfidine

• Are Azulfidine and Pentasa the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Pentasa?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Azulfidine?
• What Is Pentasa?
• What Is Azulfidine?
• What Drugs Interact with Pentasa?
• What Drugs Interact with Azulfidine?
• How Should Pentasa Be Taken?
• How Should Azulfidine Be Taken?

Pentasa (mesalamine) and Azulfidine EN-tabs (sulfasalazine delayed release tablets) are anti-inflammatory agents used to treat ulcerative colitis.

Pentasa is also used to treat proctitis and proctosigmoiditis, and to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Azulfidine is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults who have received other arthritis medications without successful treatment of symptoms.

Side effects of Pentasa and Azulfidine that are similar include diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, or skin rash.

Side effects of Pentasa that are different from Azulfidine include stomach cramps, gas, fever, sore throat, other flu symptoms, constipation, dizziness, or tired feeling.

Infrequently, Pentasa can worsen ulcerative colitis.

Side effects of Azulfidine that are different from Pentasa include stomach upset, loss of appetite, ringing in your ears, dizziness, spinning sensation (vertigo), unusual tiredness, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, sleep problems (insomnia), or itching.

Pentasa may interact with azathioprine, mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, cancer medicine, or aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Azulfidine may interact with digoxin, folic acid, or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain folic acid.

Common side effects of Pentasa include:

• diarrhea,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach cramps,
• gas,
• fever,
• sore throat,
• other flu symptoms,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• tired feeling, or
• skin rash.

Infrequently, Pentasa can worsen ulcerative colitis. Tell your doctor if your symptoms worsen after starting Pentasa (such as increased abdominal pain or cramping, bloody diarrhea, and fever). Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Pentasa including:

• changes in the amount of urine,
• dark urine,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• chest pain, or
• shortness of breath.

Common side effects of Azulfidine include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• loss of appetite,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• ringing in your ears,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• unusual tiredness,
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips,
• sleep problems (insomnia), or
• itching or skin rash.

Azulfidine may cause temporary male infertility. This effect is reversible when Azulfidine is stopped. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Azulfidine including:

• sun sensitivity,
• hearing changes,
• mental/mood changes,
• painful urination,
• blood in the urine,
• changes in the amount of urine,
• new lump or growth in the neck (goiter),
• numbness or tingling of the hands or feet,
• signs of low blood sugar (e.g., hunger, cold sweat, blurred vision, weakness, fast heartbeat), or
• swollen glands.

Pentasa (mesalamine) is an anti-inflammatory agent used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. Pentasa is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Azulfidine EN-tabs (sulfasalazine delayed release tablets) is an anti-inflammatory agent and immunomodulatory agent used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Azulfidine is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults who have received other arthritis medications without successful treatment of symptoms.

Pentasa may interact with pazathioprine or mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, cancer medicine, or aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Azulfidine EN-tabs may interact with digoxin, folic acid, or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain folic acid. There may be other drugs that can interact with Azulfidine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Azulfidine EN-tabs should be used only when prescribed. Caution is advised if this medication is used near the expected delivery date because similar drugs may cause harm to a newborn. This medication may lower folic acid levels, increasing the risk of spinal cord defects. Consult your doctor about taking enough folic acid. This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dosage of Pentasa for the induction of remission and the symptomatic treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis is 1g (four 250 mg capsules or two 500 mg capsules) 4 times a day for a total daily dosage of 4g. Treatment duration may be up to 8 weeks.

Adult doses of Azulfidine range from 1000 mg to 4000 mg daily, taken 2 to 4 times daily depending on the condition being treated. Pediatric doses are determined by weight.